Contents

History

Valinor

Radagast, like the other Wizards, came from Valinor around the year 1000 of the Third Age and was one of the Maiar of the ValiëYavanna. His original name was Aiwendil (pron. [aɪˈwendil]). Yavanna forced Curumo to accept Radagast as a companion, which may have been one of the reasons Saruman was contemptuous of him.

Middle-earth

The wizard's home was in Rhosgobel on the western borders of Mirkwood. Considering the location of Rhosgobel (Being uncomfortably close to Dol Guldur) it is likely that Radagast had something to do with The White Council's attack on the fortress in T.A. 2941. He was a friend of Beorn as well as a friend to the forest's many creatures, especially birds whom he communicated with. He spent most of his time with the wildlife instead of Men and Elves, whom he found more difficult to deal with. Despite this, Gandalf was actually more knowlegable about the birds and beasts, and was more respected by them than Radagast. Radagast grew neglectful and easygoing, and he lacked courage, however he remained of good will.

In the summer of 3018 Radagast was unwittingly used by Saruman to lure Gandalf to Orthanc, sending him to Bree with a message for Gandalf. In this message Saruman asked Gandalf to come to Orthanc, where Saruman trapped and captured him. Luckily, Radagast didn't mean any harm to Gandalf, and wasn't aware of Saruman's plan. So Radagast also helped rescue the grey wizard by alerting the Eagles of Gandalf's journey there.

Radagast is without a doubt a mysterious character. While there is little doubt that his heart was in the right place, he did not possess that same selflessness that allowed Gandalf to fulfil the task set to him by the Valar, to aid the free people. Deigning to leave his wooded home, Radagast remained in Northern Mirkwood with the birds and the beasts and the trees.

When Elven scouts were sent to find Radagast after the Council of Elrond, he was not at his home in Rhosgobel: he plays no further role in events and is not mentioned again by Tolkien. There are several theories to his disappearance. He may have gone to spend time among the wildlife, or his friends among the Beornings, or he may have visited Thranduil's folk in Mirkwood. He may have also been forced to abandon his home, and it is quite possible that he was removed by the nearby fortress of Dol Guldur. However, Tolkien once stated that Radagast's failure was not as great as Saruman's, and that he may have eventually been able to return to Valinor, implying that he survived The War of the Ring.

The assumption that Radagast failed in his task may not be entirely accurate, as he was sent specifically by Yavanna, and he may have been charged with the protection of the flora and fauna of Middle-Earth, a task that would not end with the defeat of Sauron. However, what is certain is that he did not achieve the primary task set for him by the Valar, and he did not (for whatever reason) return to Valinor, according to the poem that Tolkien wrote about the Istari.

Names

Other versions of the Legendarium

Early in the process of writing The Lord of the Rings, it is clear that Tolkien envisaged some role for Radagast in the tale.[7] He eventually decided that he would use Radagast as the means of getting Gandalf to Isengard.[8]

Initially Gandalf describes Radagast as his 'cousin',[9] as he did in The Hobbit,[10] but in a subsequent draft he becomes his 'kinsman'.[11] In the final version Gandalf merely says that Radagast is 'one of my order'.[1]

Tolkien initially called him "Radagast the Grey", but in pencil he changed this to "Brown" and subsequently Saruman refers to him as "Radagast the Brown".[8]

When Tolkien finished writing the story up till Moria, he made notes on the future story development; therein he considered handing over Isengard to Radagast.[12]

Films

The character Radagast and virtually all references to him were removed. He was originally to appear in a background scene, but this was removed because it was thought it would only confuse people.[source?] He later appeared on a Decipher Card, played by Weta's John Harding.

Radagast will be played by Sylvester McCoy.[13] Although the character is only alluded to in The Hobbit, he may have been involved with The White Council's confrontation with the Necromancer around this time period..[source?] Sylvester McCoy has stated that Radagast will have more than just a brief cameo, and Sir Christopher Lee (who plays Saruman) stated that Radagast "has a considerably important part" in the upcoming films..[source?]

Radio series

Games

Radagast has been issued in a couple of different versions: figure LR3 "Radagast the Brown" is seen with a cat and an owl;[14] an older version of the figure portrays Radagast without beard and with a different bird.[15] There is also a "Radagast Mounted" (MS539), where Radagast (again without beard) is portrayed mounted on a horse.[16]

The characters Eradan, Farin and Andriel travel to Mirkwood in search of Radagast and arrive just in time to rescue him from a giant spider. He thanks them for the rescue and provides them with information about the Dragon Urgost.[19]